http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net
Living Lab from WCAILiving Lab on WCAI is a forum for the stories behind science headlines — the people who do the research, the unexpected ways that science gets done, and how the results make their way into our everyday lives.enMon, 19 Mar 2018 12:13:21 +0000NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Heather GoldstoneHeather Goldstonewcaiwebteam@wgbh.orgLiving Lab on WCAI is a forum for the stories behind science headlines — the people who do the research, the unexpected ways that science gets done, and how the results make their way into our everyday lives.noLiving Lab on WCAI is a forum for the stories behind science headlines — the people who do the research, the unexpected ways that science gets done, and how the results make their way into our everyday lives.noWCAIwcaiwebteam@wgbh.orghttp://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/canadian-science-rebuilding-slowly
For almost a decade, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper slashed science funding and restricted government researchers’ ability to speak to the public. The Trudeau administration has worked to reverse their predecessors’ anti-science policies, but manyCanadian Science is Rebuilding… Slowly For almost a decade, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper slashed science funding and restricted government researchers’ ability to speak to the public. The Trudeau administration has worked to reverse their predecessors’ anti-science policies, but many Canadian scientists still say they don’t feel free to speak to the public. Science librarian and blogger John Dupuis of York University , told Living Lab Radio he isn’t surprised. Rebuilding is slow. First, there may be some self-censorship among Canadian scientists, Dupuis said. "They feel that someone’s looking over their shoulder," he said. When in reality, the relatively new Trudeau government is not interested in censoring them. Second, there was a change in culture at key departments, such as Environment Canada, during the Harper Administration. "They were hiring communications flacks and building up this kind of bureaucracy and infrastructure, to keep scientists from speaking to the public," he said. "That became the culture."heather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)110244 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 12 Mar 2018 14:00:00 +0000677http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/where-are-women-scientists-top-tier-journals
Scientific journals don’t track the gender of their authors. That made it that much trickier for University of Washington psychology professor Ione Fine and her colleagues to uncover a surprising fact: that women scientists are significantly underWhere Are the Women Scientists in Top-Tier Journals?Scientific journals don’t track the gender of their authors. That made it that much trickier for University of Washington psychology professor Ione Fine and her colleagues to uncover a surprising fact: that women scientists are significantly under-represented among authors of studies published in top-tier journals.heather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)110240 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 12 Mar 2018 14:00:00 +0000575http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/modern-genetics-redefining-disease
Medicine has changed radically in the past century, but one thing that flies under the radar is how much our concept of illness, itself, has changed.Modern Genetics is Redefining “Disease”Medicine has changed radically in the past century, but one thing that flies under the radar is how much our concept of illness, itself, has changed.heather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)110226 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 12 Mar 2018 13:24:00 +0000938http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/artificial-intelligence-and-environment
When it comes to artificial intelligence, a lot of attention has been focused on issues of privacy and economics – what happens if AI makes human workers obsolete. Now, a new report from the non-profit Environmental Law Institute highlights the potential Artificial Intelligence and the EnvironmentWhen it comes to artificial intelligence, a lot of attention has been focused on issues of privacy and economics – what happens if AI makes human workers obsolete. Now, a new report from the non-profit Environmental Law Institute highlights the potential environmental impacts of AI-driven technologies , from autonomous cars to smart thermostats.heather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)110227 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 12 Mar 2018 12:45:00 +0000781http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/finding-brought-down-gun-research
In the weeks since the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the national debate about guns has begun to shift. One issue that has come to the fore is funding for research on gun violence. The Centers for DiseaseThe Finding that Brought Down Gun ResearchIn the weeks since the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the national debate about guns has begun to shift. One issue that has come to the fore is funding for research on gun violence. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have a program focused on injury prevention and control, but gun safety research has not been part of their work for more than twenty years.heather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)109934 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 05 Mar 2018 16:24:05 +0000750http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/primordial-light-healing-disco
Two different forms of light have showed up in recent science headlines. Nature multi-media editor Shamini Bundell explains: light from first stars hints at dark matter. Astronomers have detected the fingerprint of light from a period known as the CosmicFrom Primordial Light to Healing DiscoTwo different forms of light have showed up in recent science headlines. Nature multi-media editor Shamini Bundell explains: light from first stars hints at dark matter. Astronomers have detected the fingerprint of light from a period known as the Cosmic Dawn, when the earliest stars were forming. If confirmed, it's an exciting discovery, on its own. It may also hold more clues about the role of dark matter. Flashing lights and pink noise may help Alzheimer's: the brain is an electrical organ, and different types of brainwaves are associated with various types of brain activity. New research is helping decipher what brainwaves do and mean, and finding that light and sound may be used to alter brainwaves and treat diseases. The research is being done on mice, which are put into little boxes with flashing lights, "like a little disco," says Bundell.heather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)109933 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 05 Mar 2018 16:20:42 +0000527http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/could-new-infrastructure-bridge-our-political-divides
President Trump's long-anticipated infrastructure plan now seems dead on arrival, but few would argue with the need for widespread infrastructure upgrades. Mark Stevenson, author of " An Optimist's Tour of the Future ," and " We Do Things Differently: TheCould New Infrastructure Bridge Our Political Divides?President Trump's long-anticipated infrastructure plan now seems dead on arrival, but few would argue with the need for widespread infrastructure upgrades. Mark Stevenson, author of " An Optimist's Tour of the Future ," and " We Do Things Differently: The Outsiders Rebooting Our World ," says many of our current systems are failing to meet the grand challenges of the 21st century—from climate change, to income inequality, to food production for more than seven billion—and the choice we face is to let them crumble, or overhaul them. Stevenson says the energy sector is where we are likely to see the most rapid and dramatic shifts. But his vision for the future of infrastructure includes an education system that teaches through teamwork and experience; farms that work with nature and lift farming families out of poverty; a healthcare system that recognizes and supports the ability of patients to heal themselves and each other; and corporations who gauge their success based on principalsheather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)109938 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 05 Mar 2018 16:03:37 +0000867http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/retrain-your-craving-brain
Are you addicted to your smartphone? Many of us certainly feel drawn to our electronic devices, and the array of information and activities they offer, in a way we feel uncomfortable admitting. And while there's some controversy about whether or not theRetrain Your Craving BrainAre you addicted to your smartphone? Many of us certainly feel drawn to our electronic devices, and the array of information and activities they offer, in a way we feel uncomfortable admitting. And while there's some controversy about whether or not the term "addiction" is appropriate, there is growing evidence that things like posting on Facebook can elicit the same brain response as an addictive substance.heather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)109678 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 26 Feb 2018 15:05:00 +00001007http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/black-panther-movie-s-real-superpower-its-black-scientists
Black Panther is making headlines as a box office hit that's also a superhero movie starring black actors. But it could also be the biggest science movie of the year.Black Panther Movie’s Real Superpower Is in its Black ScientistsBlack Panther is making headlines as a box office hit that's also a superhero movie starring black actors. But it could also be the biggest science movie of the year.heather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)109638 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 26 Feb 2018 15:01:00 +0000646http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/new-era-edible-electronics-coming
If you’ve ever been annoyed by those little stickers on your apples, or wished for a sensor that would tell you whether that cantaloupe is actually ripe, we have news for you: researchers at Rice University have developed a technique that they say couldA New Era of Edible Electronics is ComingIf you’ve ever been annoyed by those little stickers on your apples, or wished for a sensor that would tell you whether that cantaloupe is actually ripe, we have news for you: researchers at Rice University have developed a technique that they say could solve both of those problems. The key is using lasers to print tiny tags made of graphene , a substance that is stable even in a single-molecule layer.heather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)109640 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 26 Feb 2018 15:00:00 +0000787http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/climate-change-expected-impact-maple-syrup-lumber-and-christmas-trees
When we think about the impacts of climate change in New England, our minds often go to the ocean and coasts. But a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture finds that New England’s forests are vulnerable, as well. In New England, average yearlyClimate Change Expected to Impact Maple Syrup, Lumber, and Christmas TreesWhen we think about the impacts of climate change in New England, our minds often go to the ocean and coasts. But a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture finds that New England’s forests are vulnerable, as well. In New England, average yearly temperature has already increased by 2.4 °F, with even greater warming during winter.heather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)109637 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 26 Feb 2018 15:00:00 +0000531http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/leaked-un-climate-report
A news organization called Climate Home News this week obtained, and then published, a draft of a UN climate science report. The report assesses the feasibility and likely benefits of achieving the most ambitious goal set by the Paris climate agreement –Leaked U.N. Climate ReportA news organization called Climate Home News this week obtained, and then published, a draft of a UN climate science report. The report assesses the feasibility and likely benefits of achieving the most ambitious goal set by the Paris climate agreement – which is to hold total global average warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The conclusion is that it will be difficult to cut emissions quickly enough.heather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)109367 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 19 Feb 2018 14:35:00 +0000549http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/it-was-not-expected-mit-founder-owned-slaves-1850
MIT is the latest in a string of prestigious universities to reveal ties to slavery that go back to the founding of the institution. The information comes from an undergraduate research course called “MIT and Slavery.”‘It was not expected’ that MIT Founder Owned Slaves in 1850 MIT is the latest in a string of prestigious universities to reveal ties to slavery that go back to the founding of the institution. The information comes from an undergraduate research course called “MIT and Slavery.”heather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)109330 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 19 Feb 2018 14:27:00 +0000956http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/what-trump-budget-says-about-science-priorities
Congress averted a second government shutdown by passing a bipartisan budget deal that raised spending caps for the next two years, but didn’t specify how the money should be spent. That came a few days later when President Trump released his budgetWhat the Trump Budget Says About Science PrioritiesCongress averted a second government shutdown by passing a bipartisan budget deal that raised spending caps for the next two years, but didn’t specify how the money should be spent. That came a few days later when President Trump released his budget proposal for 2019.heather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)109368 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 19 Feb 2018 14:08:00 +0000871http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/new-investigation-finds-little-no-scientific-basis-much-forensics
Forensics laboratories have featured in hit TV shows and attained a level of mainstream familiarity and fame that few other sciences can claim. But a new investigation, which appears as the cover story of the February 26 edition of The Nation , finds thatNew Investigation Finds Little to No Scientific Basis for Much ForensicsForensics laboratories have featured in hit TV shows and attained a level of mainstream familiarity and fame that few other sciences can claim. But a new investigation, which appears as the cover story of the February 26 edition of The Nation , finds that much of forensics may not be scientific at all.heather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)109086 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 12 Feb 2018 14:44:21 +0000814http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/time-now-change-how-we-catch-lobsters
A workshop in Woods Hole on February 1st brought together an unusual combination of scientists, engineers, fishermen, and government regulators to talk about an even more unusual idea: catching lobsters with no rope connecting the traps at the bottom with‘The Time is Now’ to Change How We Catch Lobsters A workshop in Woods Hole on February 1st brought together an unusual combination of scientists, engineers, fishermen, and government regulators to talk about an even more unusual idea: catching lobsters with no rope connecting the traps at the bottom with a buoy at the surface.heather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)109085 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 12 Feb 2018 14:34:16 +00001252http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/starman-roadster-isn-t-going-mars-we-may-be-soon
SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy launch has ignited hopes of sending humans back to the moon, and on to Mars. But what about that cherry-red Tesla left floating through space?Starman in Roadster Isn’t Going to Mars, But We May Be... SoonSpaceX’s Falcon Heavy launch has ignited hopes of sending humans back to the moon, and on to Mars. But what about that cherry-red Tesla left floating through space?heather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)109084 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 12 Feb 2018 14:22:40 +0000906http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/there-limit-how-good-olympians-can-get
At each Olympics, athletes set new records and achieve new feats not imagined a few years ago. For example, Brian Boitano wowed the judges in 1988 with his triple jumps. Now male figure skaters are doing quad jumps: four rotations.Is There a Limit to How Good Olympians Can Get?At each Olympics, athletes set new records and achieve new feats not imagined a few years ago. For example, Brian Boitano wowed the judges in 1988 with his triple jumps. Now male figure skaters are doing quad jumps: four rotations.heather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)108779 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 05 Feb 2018 15:37:13 +0000520http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/long-and-varied-history-science-state-union
The only overt mention of science came late in President Trump’s first State of the Union address, one that many scientists have criticized for ignoring or misrepresenting climate science and failing to recognize the science connections inherent inThe Long and Varied History of Science in the State of the UnionThe only overt mention of science came late in President Trump’s first State of the Union address, one that many scientists have criticized for ignoring or misrepresenting climate science and failing to recognize the science connections inherent in infrastructure and immigration policy.heather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)108772 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 05 Feb 2018 15:36:53 +0000738http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.net/post/hey-we-re-doing-something-right-americans-eating-less-beef
The US Department of Agriculture is predicting record meat production and consumption in 2018, but it’s a changed picture from a generation ago. It turns out, per-capita beef production and consumption in America peaked in the mid-1970s. Hey, We’re Doing Something Right: Americans Eating Less BeefThe US Department of Agriculture is predicting record meat production and consumption in 2018, but it’s a changed picture from a generation ago. It turns out, per-capita beef production and consumption in America peaked in the mid-1970s.heather_goldstone@capeandislands.org (Heather Goldstone)108794 as http://wcai.drupal.publicbroadcasting.netMon, 05 Feb 2018 15:36:31 +0000676